Tiptoe Cottage

Tiptoe Cottage is a true New Forest gem, offering a home from home for an authentic forest experience. It is perfect for family holidays – from tots to teens – and for romantic weekends or couples get-togethers.

Set in half-acre private grounds in the heart of the National Park, it is refurbished to the standard of a modern boutique hotel; yet its original, thick, cob walls are centuries old and keep the cottage warm in winter, but cool in summer.

It sleeps up to six in three bedrooms: one kingsize, one kingsize / twin, and one single that adapts for two children in beds or cots. All the important baby equipment is provided so that parents of very young children can travel light. Baby sitting can normally be arranged.

Inside, the cottage décor is restful greys with splashes of colour. The centre of the cottage is the sitting and dining room with its warm log burner. This opens onto a fully equipped kitchen complete with essentials like a dishwasher, microwave and treats such as the Nespresso machine and a personalised pack of local farm shop goodies.

Other luxuries such as thick toweling dressing gowns, crisp linen, and New Forest bathroom products fill the bedrooms and bathrooms. Selections of books, DVDs and games for all ages add to the homely feel. For long stays, there is a washing machine, drier, ironing board and iron.

The garden has something for everybody, and for all times of year. For sunshine, there is a barbeque and a patio dining area. For cool evenings, there is a fire pit – logs provided – with seating around it for sitting and watching the stars or listening to the owls at sunset. For children, there are swings, a slide and a climbing frame, plus a paddling pool and a sandpit. For everybody, and all times of year, there is a garden room with heating, TV, DVD, WiFi and games. There is a shed for locking bikes away.

It is an ideal base for activities such as walking, exploring the coast, cycling and horse riding; or for relaxing and being pampered. There are many gourmet venues on the doorstep and there are also three spas nearby. Massage and beauty therapists will even visit the cottage, given enough notice.

The open forest starts at the garden gate. Ponies and cattle graze outside the fence and you may see deer and badgers or woodpeckers and birds of prey. Away from the cottage there is lots to explore….. If you can drag yourself away.